The History of The Liberty Stadium

The History of the Liberty Stadium is fairly smooth-running compared to other clubs in the Premier League, and Swansea’s previous home.

Swansea City have occupied the ground since it opened and this stability means that they have enjoyed a continuous run in the PL since first entering the league.

Swansea City FC

Swansea FC were established in 1912 as Swansea Town AFC. They joined the Second Division of the English Southern League and proceeded to rent a site called Vetch Field for their club grounds. The club’s first match was against Cardiff City on the 7th of September 1912 which they drew 1-1.

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After the First World War, the Southern Second league was disbanded and with many teams dropping out due to financial problems, Swansea were installed in the First Division.

Four years later, Swansea became founder members of the third Division of the Football League. They were promoted to the Second Division for the first time in 1925 but were relegated to the third tier again in 1947.

They would only spend two seasons there and would be promoted again, only dropping a single home-point along the way.

Difficult times were to follow, however, and The Swans hovered around the relegation zone for a few years before finally being relegated in 1965.

Worse was to follow when they were demoted again in 1967, this time to the Fourth Division, their lowest position so far.

The year 1969 was to prove bittersweet, as the club gained promotion to the Third Division, but two of their players were tragically killed in a car crash. They also changed their name to Swansea City FC.

Swansea City FC History

By 1973, they were back in the Fourth Division, and after finishing in 21st place, had to reapply to enter the league.

In 1978 they achieved back to back promotions to climb up to the Second division, before reaching the First Division in 1981. They had gone from the Fourth Division the First in just four years, a record which still stands today.

The good times were not to last, and they were to undo all their hard work and take the same amount of time to slip back to the Fourth Division again.

The fifteen years from 1986 to 2001 would not see their fortunes improve much, as they moved in fits and starts between the Second and Third Divisions again.

By 2001 the club was in financial turmoil and a consortium of fans came together to buy a controlling stake in the club to turn it around before it was wound up. It was to signal the beginning of a slow turnabout in fortunes for the club.

By 2005 they had left Vetch Field for a new home and were gradually climbing back up the rankings.

By 2008 they had won League One and were promoted to The Championship. They would spend three years there before finishing in 3rd place in 2011 and winning the subsequent play off games would see them being promoted to the Premier League.

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The Liberty Stadium

The Liberty Stadium has the distinction of being the third largest stadium in Wales and the only Premier League ground in Wales.

It opened in 2005 at an estimated cost of £50 million and currently serves as the home for both Swansea City and rugby union side Ospreys.

When it was being constructed it was known as ‘White Rock’ and ‘New Swansea Stadium’ before local developers bought the naming rights for it in 2005.

It has been known as Liberty Stadium ever since. It was funded by Swansea council and a development consortium wishing to build a retail park and had an opening capacity of 20,520. Thanks to Swansea FCs continuing success in the BPL this has now been expanded to 21,088.

You might also be interested in finding out about the history of other stadiums. The history of Old Trafford is something many football lovers would appreciate.

Vetch Field

Vetch Field was home to the city for much of its history. It opened in 1912, and the curious name comes from the plants that were grown on the surface at the time.

The original ground was made from compacted coal cinder and players had to wear knee pads for the first season there. It served as home for The Swans for almost a century before they left for the newly-built Liberty Stadium.

It closed in 2005 and was demolished soon after. Perhaps fittingly, the ground where it once stood is now used for allotments and the centre spot remains as people’s ashes were scattered there.

When were Swansea promoted to the Premier League?

After many years of po-going between the Second, Third and Fourth Divisions, Swansea made certain that the history of the Liberty Stadium would get off to a flying start.

They moved into their new ground in 2005 and played League One football for the first time in almost five years before being promoted to the Championship in 2008. It was 2011 when Swansea were promoted to the Premier League and they have remained there ever since.